Gael softball team wins at home

May 29, 2013

Pushed to the limit for much of its 2013 home debut, the St. Edmond softball team escaped with a 2-0 shutout victory over Hampton-Dumont here Tuesday at Rogers Sports Complex.

Senior hurler Katie Donnelly fired a one-hitter in the complete game win for the No. 7 (Class 2A) Gaels (3-0 overall, 1-0 NCC). Donnelly, a Fort Dodge Senior High transfer, didn't walk a batter and fanned seven Bulldogs (2-1, 0-1). She threw 56 of her 75 pitches for strikes. Donnelly (2-0) has now struck out 16 in 14 innings of work on the young season.

"It's almost becoming routine for Katie to pitch like that," SEHS head coach Paul Hunt said. "She was working the ball in and out (from the Bulldog hitters) and looked really impressive (Tuesday)."

Shortstop Anna Yung, a sophomore and No. 2 hitter, powered the St. Edmond offensive charge with a 2-for-3 effort and a pair of stolen bases. As a collective unit, the green and white swiped six bags.

"(H-D pitcher Taryn Kline) did a good job of mixing her speeds, and her defense made all the plays behind her," said Hunt. "We were very fortunate to come away with a win in a tough NCC opener. Hampton is just a solid ballclub all the way around."

Brigid Hanley's one-out bloop RBI single to center field plated Katy Bocken with the first Gael run in the bottom of the second. Courtesy runner Megan Flattery, an eighth-grader, tacked on a SEHS insurance score off a wild pitch in the sixth.

The Gaels stranded seven baserunners in the contest, including five in scoring position.

"It's always dangerous when you leave that many runners in scoring position and can't capitalize," Hunt said. "I was just really waiting for our hitters to make some adjustments and break (the game) open a little."

Taryn Barz spoiled Donnelly's no-hit bid on a harmless single to right with one out in the seventh. Donnelly then quickly sealed the deal by inducing a 6-3 lineout double play off the bat of Madie Mason. Hampton-Dumont's only other baserunner reached on a fielding error by St. Edmond's first baseman in the fifth.

St. Edmond returns to the diamond tonight, hosting Bishop Garrigan (3-0, 2-0). First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m. The Golden Bears pounded Clarion-Goldfield by a 13-3 final in five innings Tuesday.